Governing Body

‘Governors are committed to the success of the school and have embraced opportunities to strengthen their roles’ OFSTED 2017

The main aim of the governing body is to maintain and improve its school's standards of education. The Board of Governors of The Snaith School comply with, The Education (School Government) (Terms of Reference) (England) Regulations 2000 that outlines the different roles and responsibilities of the Head teacher and Governors.

According to OFSTED, “…where governance is good, standards of attainment are more likely to be higher than in other schools. The quality of teaching, the behaviour of the pupils, and leadership and management are also more likely to be good. Where governance is weak, schools are more likely to be less successful overall.”

The Governing Body’s work can be divided into three key areas:

setting the school's vision and strategic aims, agreeing plans and policies, and making creative use of resources

monitoring and evaluating performance, acting as a critical friend to the Head teacher to support and challenge them in managing the school

ensuring that the school is accountable to the children and parents it serves, to its local community, to those who fund and maintain it, as well as to the staff it employs

Trustees

Mrs Sheena Young-Chair of Governors

Committees: Child Protection & Safeguarding, Literacy and Numeracy, Finance & General Purposes I have been a business owner in the centre of Snaith for over 36 years. I became involved with The Snaith School, when my eldest daughter entered the school in 1994. I have had three daughters pass through the school and all have very successful careers after leaving Snaith. They are now all in their thirties, so on reflection, I have been a governor for many years.

I have been the chairperson of the governing body for a number of years, and I am now working with a fourth head teacher, Michaela Blackledge. I became a governor because I had a passion for education for all, having a commitment to the secondary school in Snaith, I thought I could give something to help in its continuous development.

I thoroughly enjoy being a governor, in an accountable role, as a critical friend and providing a strategic vision for the school. I have seen many changes throughout the year, education never stands still. But I believe The Snaith School to be an extremely good school with an excellent ethos which has been maintained under its various leaderships, and all the staff that have been employed at the school over the years. The dedicated teamwork is paramount and I hope I have had and continue to have a part in the future success of the school.

Mrs Celia Evans-Vice Chair, Trust Governor

Committees: Literacy & Numeracy, Finance & General Purposes

I have had a connection with Snaith School since 1992 when my oldest child attended as a pupil, followed by her 2 siblings. I have been a governor since then with a special interest in Maths and English, SEND and Pupil Premium children.

Being a governor compliments my work in the voluntary sector – which I have done for the past 30 years. Snaith School has such a fabulous ethos and it is a pleasure to be on the governing body

Mr Graham Wragg-Trust Governor

Committees: Finance & General Purposes

I first became involved in governance when my daughters were in Primary school, having been asked to become a parent governor by their school. This lasted for some 6 years, until a little time after the youngest left to transfer to The Snaith School to join her sister. Meanwhile I had joined the governing board of The Snaith School, again as a parent governor, and I am pleased to say that I continue to serve on the current board, even though my daughters have left the school, at present as Chair of a committee and as a Trustee.

It would be fair to say that I am one, if not the, most mature member of the current board and may be associated with a dry wit, and a common sense approach. The board always put the good of the pupils to the top of any agenda and are committed to the constantly improving education of all our 955 pupils.

Personally, I believe in that my life experiences in a number of careers and raising my daughters as a single parent have been useful to me as a governor. The education of children of all ages is a complex endeavour, and I feel grateful that I can help in some way, to ensure that The Snaith School continues to provide the education its pupils expect and deserve.

Mrs Lindsey Bellamy – Trust Governor

Committees: Health & Safety, Finance & General Purposes

I have been a governor at The Snaith School for the past 18 years. I moved to Snaith in 1998 when my eldest of 3 daughters started at The Snaith School in Year 7. Now my youngest will be leaving this summer (2017). I am committed to The Snaith School and the values it holds. Over the years I have served on various committees and have been involved in the appointment of our past and current head teacher. I became a trustee when we became an Academy.

As governors and trustees we have an important role to play in the running of The Snaith School. We work closely with The SLT to challenge and support at every level.

I have been married 33 years and work as a staff nurse at Doncaster Royal Infirmary. My young granddaughter currently lives with her parents lives in The Snaith School catchment area, it would be wonderful if she followed in her mums and nieces footsteps and attended The Snaith School in the future.

Martin Backhouse - CEIAG Governor

Committees: Finance and General Purposes

I am a partner in a family farming and contracting business which is involved in agricultural and construction industry work.

I have 30 years’ experience in the management and budgeting side of the business which I feel is the main area of expertise I bring to the governing body of an Academy school. As away from the classroom an Academy as to be run as a business to ensure a limited budget is used in the most efficient way to achieve the best academic results possible.

I have now developed a good knowledge of how a school works starting as a governor at Snaith Primary School in 2004 for 5 years before becoming a governor at The Snaith School.

To relax I enjoy spending time with my wife and two children all of whom have been pupils at The Snaith School. I would rather have a week skiing than laid on a sun lounger. I also like to follow Formula 1 achieving a dream in 2014 by attending the Monoco Grand Prix.

Mrs Lynn Devlin - Staff Governor

Committees: Finance and General Purposes

Training Link I am currently employed as Finance Manager at The Snaith School and have over 25 years’ experience of working within finance departments both in the private and public sector. I become a staff governor in 2012, I put myself forward for election as I wanted to be able to contribute to the on-going development of the school.

I live locally and being a parent myself I get great satisfaction watching the pupils develop into thriving young adults.

Mrs Christine Howse - Staff Governor

Committee: Standards and Curriculum Committee

I have spent several years working in both the public and private sector, initially in administration 12 years of which were spent in the Army and 14 years working with children from as young as 6 months in a variety of settings from childminding, playgroups, out of School Club, Primary School and for the last nine years here at The Snaith School.

I am employed as a Teaching Assistant in the Learning Support Department supporting pupils in both KS3 and KS4 and as the Admin Officer for Disadvantaged Groups. I was appointed as a Staff Governor in December 2015 and sit on the Standards and Curriculum Committee.

Mrs Yvonne Bellwood- Parent Governor

Committee: Standards & Curriculum Committee

I have been on the board of governors for the last 5 years and currently I am a member of the Curriculum and Standards Committee.

I regularly attend training sessions to ensure I keep up to date with the ever changing standards, and use the knowledge and experiences gained for the benefit of the schools.

I like to read in my free time, and has recently been introduced to golf by her partner (although only at the driving range at the moment), and likes to watch all types of sport on TV.

Mrs Clare Holden - Parent Governor

In the past, I was self-employed but after having my daughter, who is now in year eight at The Snaith School, I had a change of career. I am now in my thirteenth year of working in education. Previously, I worked in a primary school. Most of that time was spent working in year six but recently I changed roles and now work with young adults, with learning difficulties.

The work I currently do is still education based but slightly different to working with younger children. However within this role, I passionately feel our team's goals are for every student to achieve their full potential regardless of their abilities.

This approach is something that naturally carries over to my governing role -as a parent governor- within the forward thinking and high aiming Snaith Academy team, which I feel proud to be a member of.